Retailer Wine Selections

Share

For this issue, we asked members of the National Retailer Wine Panel to recommend their favorite white wines for the summer, either as aperitifs or as complements to summer fare. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). If you’re a retail beverage professional who would like to learn about participating in our panel, call Richard Brandes at 212-353-3832, or email him at rbrandes@m2media360.com.

(95) Pyramid Valley Hawkes Bay Orton Vineyard GewÃ¼rztraminer 2007 (New Zealand). An outstanding wine from one of the most unique biodynamic producers in New Zealand; unfiltered and cloudy with a nose of fresh oranges, white flowers and ginger; on the palate, the wine is spicy, and ginger flavor lingers long into the finish; a unique wine. ($37)

(95) Reuscher-Haart Piesporter Riesling 2008 (Germany). Gorgeous aromas of peach, apricot and citrus lead to lush, not-too-sweet flavors of the same on the palate, with a lively, crisp finish. ($15, liter)

(95) Wagner Stempel Riesling Trocken 2008 (Germany). Ripe, mouth-filling flavors of stone fruits, pear and grapefruit lead to a totally dry, long finish, with a hint of minerality. ($19, liter)

(94) Nyakas Cellars Pinot Gris 2008 (Hungary). Hungarian pinot gris you say? Nyakas is one of the best white wine producers in Hungary; a rich pinot gris with flavors of bright pear and green apple followed by a round, almost peanut butter-type taste; exceptional for its price. ($10)

(93) Iron Horse Green Valley Classic Vintage Brut 2005 (California). A pale, straw yellow color with green hues, and small persistent bubbles; on the nose, it has notes of gingerbread, hazelnuts with chanterelle mushrooms and lemon-lime tones; a dry, elegant mousse with a confit of ginger brioche and walnut tones, and a navel orange finish. ($35)

(92) Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (California). Perfect for summer; crisp, clean and flavorful; a great balance of melon, citrus fruits, a hint of lime and just the right amount of acidity; a definite crowd pleaser. ($16)

(92) Hugel Gewurztraminer Alsace 2007 (France). This wine has a classic nose of roses and lychee; a classic palate and elegant acidity; lovely with spring salads, lobster and asparagus. ($25)

(92) Pighin Friuli-Venezia Giulia Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Italy). A taste of the Loire from Fruili with hints of grapefruit and honeydew melon on the nose; well-balanced acidity for a wine ideal for shellfish. ($14)

(92) Tom Eddy Elodian Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California). 100% Sauvignon Musque; character and balance; light and refreshing; many dynamic flavors and aromas like grapefruit and gooseberry; refreshing acid; an ideal accompaniment for fresh fish and oysters; dynamic flavors make it a wonderful sipper on its own especially on a hot summer day. ($15)

(92) CVNE Monopole Rioja 2008 (Spain). A lovely elegant viura-based blanco; pale gold with slight green tints; delicate tree fruits of apple and white pear on the nose; a longer and lingering finish on the palate; a wonderful example of warm-weather wine; a superb bargain at this price! ($14)

(91) ChÃ¢teau de Maligny Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2006 (France). Pale yellow in color with green highlights; the nose opens with hints of stone fruit and minerality; the palate opens with a delicate lemon character, followed by a rich smoothness and excellent balance; the acid and minerality are vibrant, not chalky, and surprisingly well rounded; beneath, discover layers of green apple and stone fruit; quite complex for the price. ($20)

(91) Arrowood Chardonnay Sonoma 2007 (California). Great summer chardonnay; bouquet is fresh, pure, and lightly toasty with touches of apple, peach, and baking spices; palate is crisp and fresh with a notably balanced acidity; the finish is long lasting, textured and complete; drink it by itself or enjoy with your favorite summer salad. ($29)

(91) MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Chardonnay 2008 (California). Gallo’s first release of chardonnay from this winery; well structured and complex; offers apple, pear and melon flavors with a slight hint of vanilla and hazelnut on the long lingering finish. ($18)

(91) PlÃ¡cet Valtomelloso Rioja 2007 (Spain). A finely tuned, barrel-aged rioja, possessing both fruit and texture; an appealing combination; pale gold in color; on the nose, a fine combination of floral and apple notes; on the palate, the oak reveals itself with subtle weight, a hint of toast, and good quantities of stone fruit; a complex and contemplative style of wine, deserving of a fine meal. ($45)

(91) Condesa Eylo Rueda 2008 (Spain). Nearly 100% verdejo, with just a touch of sauvignon blanc; a brilliant straw/gold in the glass; peach, apple and touches of citrus dominate the nose; on the palate, both good weight and acidity, therefore a very food friendly wine; outstanding complexity and finish especially at this very wallet-friendly price point. ($14).

(91) GAI’A Notios White Peloponnese 2008 (Greece). An interesting blend of the indigenous Greek roditis and moschofilero varieties is yellow gold; a lovely combination of citrus and floral notes on the nose; a very supple and attractive mouthfeel; citrus taste and silky texture are part of a long and attractive finish. ($15)

(90) Castell-Castell Silvaner Franken 2008 (Germany). Pale gold, with green hints on the edges, steel-fermented and steel-aged silvaner exhibiting freshness and peachy/citrus notes on the nose; the delicate fruit is well balanced by the acidity; both a great sipping wine for warm days and nights and perfect meal wine for grilled vegetables, seafood, and chicken. ($16)

(90) Frei Brothers Russian River Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California). Clean and delicate with pineapple and grapefruit notes that lead to a crisp, light and refreshing mouthfeel; the fruit is pure, the balance is spot-on; an all-around great summertime party wine. ($16)

(90) Montinore Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2008 (Oregon). Superb scents of lemon and lime on the nose; crisp and flavorful with marvelous depth and length; good acidity and a clean, refreshing finish. ($14)

(90) Huber Hugo Gruner Veltliner 2008 (Austria). From seafood to spicy dumplings, this is a winner; crisp with balanced acidity; think of a pinot grigio with personality; a consistent best buy vintage after vintage. ($11)

(90) Finca Sophenia Chardonnay Reserve 2008 (Argentina). A soft and supple bouquet with some oak notes to start, followed by a complex display of melon and ripe citrus aromas that are soft and pleasant; very smooth on the palate as the oak stays supple, letting the complex tropical fruit flavors eventually rule the palate. ($19)

(89) Parrot Mountain Torrontes Mendoza 2009 (Argentina). Torrontes is often impressive just for its bouquet; this vintage has a delightful nose of fresh citrus fruits along with banana peel, kiwi, white grape skin and peach pit; tart citrus flavors dominate the palate, with a note of banana; very fresh and juicy; will have you thinking of summer. ($9)

(89) Terra Andina Valle Central Chardonnay 2008 (Chile). A no oak gem with hints of apples and pears on the nose, a crisp appetite, opening with flavors both lively and fresh; a finish for the perfect summer sipper with or without food. ($9)

(89) Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2008 (California). A great sipper for a hot summer day; the crispness of the chenin blanc providing a refreshing backdrop to the contained explosion of viognier completing this vibrant and exciting white wine.($14)

(88) Wimmer Gruner Veltliner Niederosterreich 2008 (Austria). A sharp, slate-laden bouquet with a nice mineral note leading off and some citrus pith aromas tailing in later; a crisp opening yet the palate quickly turns soft and lush, making it rounder and fuller than you suspect; subtle fruit flavors are green (apple, pear, unripe pineapple) at first, but with time actually gain some ripeness; a nice match for green veggies or soups that feature greens. ($13)

(88) Graham Beck Chardonnay 2008 (South Africa). A subtle nose that is initially buttery, but with some soft exotic fruit aromas in the background; bouquet is subdued, while the palate is quite forward and all fresh-picked citrus fruit flavors are tasty and complex; peach, pineapple, grapefruit, pear and quince all pop in; a moderate finish. ($13)

(87) Cortenova Pinot Grigio Venezie 2008 (Italy). Pale yellow; bouquet is light and takes a little time to get going, but reveals citrus aromas and a whiff of banana peel; medium-bodied, the palate is quite lush for Pinot Grigio, showing some softness to the sweet-tinged fruit flavors; plenty of acidity to keep it crisp; finish shows some nice length. ($12)